​After last month's historic election, the United States is at a pivotal moment.

In every election, GHR is faced with some uncertainty about how foreign and domestic policy decisions will impact its work—both as a philanthropy and as a partner to local and national governments, social service organizations and faith actors. With our programming firmly rooted in access to quality education, medical research to end a disease affecting millions and building social cohesion across religious differences, we continue to closely monitor policy decisions and consider their potential implications for our partners and our foundation.​After the election, Georgetown's Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, a GHR grantee, brought in nearly 700 people to discuss "Election 2016: What Happened, Why and What Does It Mean?" E.J. Dionne, Michael Gerson and Robert Costa from the Washington Post joined Elizabeth Dias of TIME Magazine to ask what the election means for the pursuit of the common good, the priorities of the new administration and Congress and how Catholic social teaching can help bring together our nation after the polarizing campaign.

Regardless of political opinion, this highly contentious election cycle has highlighted the divisions that exist in this country. We owe it to our grantees and partners to demonstrate our continued commitment to cohesion, both nationally and on the global stage. With Americans bracing themselves for change, we are searching for the most impactful opportunities emerging for philanthropy.

Philanthropy has a responsibility to examine its role as part of the public sphere. Guided by our vision of a just, peaceful and healthy future for all people, GHR is in a unique position to bring people together and bridge divides. Through our program work, we will continue to support organizations like the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life that create the space and time for healing and innovation to take place.

We remain hopeful, and pledge to support our partners and each other in the coming months. To learn more about GHR's commitment to hope, contact us.

GHR has a long legacy of partnering with Catholic sisters, supporting the amazing contributions they make to the common good. The Foundation's Sister Support initiative is especially proud to fund initiatives that utilize the enthusiasm and creativity of younger sisters as they respond to new opportunities created by technology and a changing landscape.

One of these initiatives is A Nun’s Life, an international online ministry helping people discover religious life and choose the vocation toward which they feel God calling them. The organization recently celebrated its tenth anniversary with a Motherhouse Road Trip, where the A Nun’s Life team, including Sisters Julie, Maxine, and Julie, traveled from Toledo to Chicago—where A Nun’s Life began—to Silicon Valley. Along the way, they visited motherhouses, livestreamed podcasts, tutored congregations in social media and networked with young sisters. The team posted on social media and blogged throughout their trip, engaging with their 160-country online community.

Young members of the Sisters of Mercy

As the A Nun’s Life team was preparing for the Motherhouse Road Trip, 140 young Sisters of Mercy visited St. Louis, Mo. for a four-day gathering. The group came together from the United States, Philippines, Peru, Argentina, Guam and Jamaica to deepen relationships, pray and sing together in Spanish and English. Most importantly, the sisters imagined what the Sisters of Mercy’s presence will be in the future and recommitted themselves to their mission.

During Pope Francis’ Year of Mercy, GHR celebrates women who have chosen lives of prayer and service as Catholic sisters. The world is enriched by their faithfulness, creativity, service and compassion. To learn more about how GHR supports sisters in the United States and Africa, contact us.​